A learning disability is a reduced ability to learn, understand new information or cope independently. There is a wide range of learning disabilities, and around 1.5 million people in the UK have a learning disability of some form.
What Causes a Learning Disability?
In some cases, the cause for a learning disability is unknown. Otherwise, there are different causes of learning disabilities, including:
- Genetic, where a baby inherits a learning disability from their parents.
- A condition or injury during childhood.
- The mother being unwell during pregnancy.
- Lack of oxygen and blood flow to the brain during the birth.
How Does a Learning Disability Affect a Person’s Life?
Some people with a learning disability will lead a rich and independent life in their community, whilst others with more complex support needs may never be able to live a fully independent life.
People with complex support needs may need a support worker and assistance with tasks that involve coordination, communication or handling money, for example.
LD Network Learning Disability Support
LD Network has specialised and bespoke services beneficial for people with learning disabilities and their families. Through highly qualified support staff, LD Network supports bespoke care packages to help people with learning disabilities to live as fully and independently as possible.
From delivering excellent care to identifying the best ways to support families based on specific circumstances, LD Network offers comprehensive support for different types of learning disabilities.
Definition of Learning Disability
Learning disabilities are complex and often misunderstood, but symptoms will be noticeable often before the individual reaches adolescence, if not before they start school. It is important to monitor any signs of a learning disability, as some symptoms can be temporary, and you may notice them disappearing within a few weeks. However, learning disabilities are lifelong, so if symptoms are prolonged and do not disappear, you may need an assessment and potentially a diagnosis.
According to the Department of Health, the definition of a learning disability is a “significant reduced ability to understand new or complex information, to learn new skills (impaired intelligence), with a reduced ability to cope independently (impaired social functioning), which started before adulthood”.
Learning Difficulties vs Learning Disabilities
The difference between a learning disability and learning difficulty is the effect on intellectual ability.
Learning difficulties do not have an impact on intellectual ability.
Learning disabilities have an effect on intellectual ability.
